Gérard Bertrand : Aigle Royal 2017

A barrel-fermented Chardonnay drawn from 500 meters above sea level, the 2017 Limoux Blanc Aigle Royal features attractive notes of buttered toast and grilled white peaches. It's medium to full-bodied, with ample richness and concentration, a silky texture and a long, pineapple-tinged finish that's bursting with freshness and appeal.

Hot, dry vintage, so anticipating a full-bodied weight. Mocha coffee and toasty oak aromas with hints of minty freshness. On the palate, there are tight, structured oak notes alongside a savory salinity and crisp minerality that continue through the length. The fruit shows herbal notes, with crunchy green apples giving vibrant freshness. The freshness dominates, with the 50% malolactic fermentation barely showing. Closed and youthful, with a tight structure and plenty of aging potential.

Straight, with plenty of substance, depth and length, a brilliant salty character mingling with citrus notes.

A very seductive wine, with aromas of ripe peach, vanilla, and a sunlit minerality. The palate is lively and concentrated, silky, and shows a beautiful, mouthwatering length. A success.